Spindleless display device



Sept. 18, 1934. H. c. HEINEMAN "1,

.SPINDLELESS DISPLAYLDEVICE Filed Sept. s, 1935 Patented Sept. 18, 1934 UNETTED STATES PATENT QFFECE 4 Claims.

'101 A still further object of this invention is to produce a device having a plurality of cup-like receptacles that are suspended from pivots near their open ends and, mounted for rotation about these pivots so that they will always hang with their 1151 open ends upwardly, in whichever position the display device may have.

The above and other objects of the invention which may appear as this description proceeds are attained by means of a construction and an arrangement of parts that will now be described in detail, and for this purpose reference will be had to the accompanying drawing in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the device; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the device; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a brake mechanism.

In the drawing reference numeral 1 represents 301 a base member, of which the device has two, as shown in Fig. 2. Secured to the base members are pipe fittings of the type usually referred to as Ts which are connected by cross bars 3. Extending upwardly from the base members are two U-shaped pipe supports which have been designated by reference numeral 2. These supports are arranged so as to lie in spaced parallel planes as shown in the drawing. Secured to each support are two wheels or pulleys 9 that are provided with rubber tires as shown in Fig. 1. These wheels or pulleys are mounted to rotate about axes 8. Adjustably attached to the U-shaped supports are brake members comprising a strap 10 formed from a flat iron bar whose ends are curved about the sides of the U-shaped supports as indicated by reference numeral 12. One edge of the bar 10 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 11 that is perforated for the reception of bolts 14 which are provided with nuts 15. Secured to the lower ends of the bolts is a brake shoe 16 that can be made from any suitable material such as wood, fiber or rubber composition and may even be made from metal. Springs 17 are located between the brake shoe and the lower surface of flange l1 and are properly tensioned to produce the friction desired. The object and operation of this brake mechanism will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

Located between the two U shaped supports is a wheeldike display device which is formed from 69 two circular plates 4. Located between the circular plates and secured to them by bolts 5 are a plurality of cup-like receptacles 6. The bolts 5 extend through the receptacles near their open ends and therefore permit these receptacles to hang vertically-at all times, due to the unbalanced position that they assume. When the receptacles are filled with nails or screws or other articles of merchandise, they will be in a highly unbalanced state and will, of course, hang in the manner 7 shown in the drawing.

Since display devices of this kind often become highly unbalanced due to the fact that more articles are taken out from some of the receptacles than from others, they will always turn of their own accord to a position in which the center of gravity is directly beneath the center of rotation, unless means is provided to prevent this rotation due to the unbalanced condition.

In this construction the ordinary spindle or axle employed in connection with similar devices has been dispensed with and in lieu thereof a drum 7 is secured to the outside of each of the circular members 4. The drums '7 are constructed in a manner similar to the ordinary brake drum employed in connection with automobiles and each is provided with a cylindrical flange that projects over the pulleys 9 and the inner surface of which rests on the rubber tires of these pulleys in a manner shown quite clearly in Fig. 1. The brake mechanism is adjusted in such a way that the convex surface of the brake shoe rests on the inner surface of the flange and after the springs have been properly tensioned, the bolts 13 are tightened so as to hold the member 10 in a predetermined position. The tension of the brake is adjusted so that the display device will not turn due to an unbalancing effect resulting from an uneven distribution of the load, but can be freely turned by the salesman and will remain in any position desired due to the friction of the brake and the friction of the mounting employed.

By dispensing with the spindle or shaft, a construction is obtained which can be more easily 195 manufactured and assembled and which also has the requisite friction to prevent accidental rotation as indicated above.

Devices of this kind are especially well adapted for use in hardware stores for the sale of nails, 1

screws and other small articles, but can be employed in many other places.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. A display device comprising, in combination, two spaced supports, a pair of rollers pivotally attached to the inside of each support, a wheel-like member provided on opposite sides with a concenr'ic flange adapted to rest its inner surface on the rollers whereby-the wheel-like member can be rotated about its center and a friction device secured to one support and cooperating with the inner surface of the flange to retard the rotation of the wheel-like member. i

2. A display device comprising, in combination, two spaced supports, a pair of rollers pivotally attached to the inside of each support, the axes of the rollers being at the same height, a display wheel comprising two circular wheel-like members, means for holding them in spaced relation, and a plurality of cup-like containers located between the wheel-lil ze members, means for pivot ally connecting the cups, at their upper ends, to the wheel-like members whereby they will rotate about the pivots as the wheel-like member rotates, the wheel-like member having a concentric circular flange on each side, the inner surface of each flange resting on a pair of rollers.

3. A display device comprising, in combination, two spaced supports, a pair of rollers pivotally attached to the inside of each support, the axes of the rollers being at the same height, a display wheel comprising two circular wheel-like members, means for holding them in spaced relation, a plurality of cup-like containers located between the wheel-like members, means for pivotally connecting the cups, at their upper ends, to the wheel-1ike members whereby they will rotate about the pivots as the wheel-like member rotates, the wheel-like member having a concentric circular flange on each side, the inner surface of each flange resting on a pair of rollers and a frictio'n device carried by one of the supports for engagement with the flange surface.

4. A display device comprising, in combination, a display wheel formed from two circular members, spaced apart, and a plurality of cups attached to the circular members by pivot pins located neartheir open ends, an outwardly extending circular flange on each outer surface of the display wheel, a support for the wheel assembly, the support comprising, a base and two spaced vertical standards, each standard having two rollers pivotally attached to their inner surfaces, the flanges extending onto the rollers in position to be supported thereby whereby the wheel assembly canbe turned about its center while supported by the rollers and a friction device attached to one of the supports and positioned to engage the corresponding flange to resist rotation of the wheel assembly.

HERMAN C. HEINEMAN. 

